A former brownfield has been transformed into the remediated site for ECO-TUBES, the Azriel Faculty of Design’s Workshop Building that boasts sustainable construction materials and energy-efficient systems. Designed by architect Joseph Cory of the Israeli architecture studio Geotectura Studio , the recently completed building was developed as part of the planned renovation of Shenkar College’s campus in Ramat Gan, Israel and features recycled and local materials along with non-toxic finishes. Selected as the winner of a competition, the Azriel Faculty of Design’s Workshops Building (ECO-TUBES) design was favored over other proposals due to its ability to be implemented in phases without disrupting student activity. Installed in two phases, the 6,600-square-meter Azriel Faculty of Design’s Workshops Building houses several workshop rooms—among them woodworking, metalworking, painting, foam manipulation and more—in addition to classrooms , offices, gallery spaces and the Gottesman Department of Jewelry Design. The building has also been engineered to allow for future growth through the addition of extra floors. In a nod to the city’s heritage as a major citrus producer, the landscaping features a variety of citrus trees (including orange, pomelo, lime, pomelit and grapefruit) to mimic an urban orchard. The roof has also been transformed into a mini orchard with container plants. The abundance of greenery, along with the vertical louvers, made from bamboo fiber and recycled plastic, helps to combat the urban heat island effect and create a pleasant microclimate. Related: Energy-plus home is a beacon of sustainability in Tel Aviv Designed with Buidling Information Modeling (BIM) to optimize energy efficiency , the U-Glass-clad building was constructed with a compact, well-insulated envelope and follows passive solar principles. “The conception of a compact shape led to minimal use of material, while maximizing natural light until late afternoon,” explains Geotectura Studio. “The building’s unique shape is based on polygonal segments with ecological glass and excellent insulation along the sides. The polygons extend the length of the southern façade, making it possible to place more workshop tools that require optimal natural light. The arched design creates optimization of maximal workstations receiving natural soft lighting.” + Geotectura Studio Images by Lior Avitan

Though many may not realize it, the oyster industry in parts of the Gulf Coast has all but collapsed in recent years due to drought, oil spills, and a water rights struggle that spans three states. That’s why New Orleans-based designer Ashley Lyons is crafting a handmade line of jewelry that pays tribute to traditional fishing communities and hopes to help preserve their way of life.

Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde’s Smog Free Tower is now open to the public in Beijing, the first of five Chinese cities on the Smog Free Project China tour. The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection is backing the project, which launches today in the city center. Roosegaarde says the tour promotes the “dream of clean air and the beginning of a journey towards smarter cities.” The artist behind the pollution-busting vacuum tower is on a mission to raise awareness of China’s dirty skies, while giving visitors a little memento to help remind them once the Smog Free Project leaves their city. Jewelry made from collected smog particles—including rings and cufflinks—will serve as lasting reminders of the educational installation. Related: Daan Roosegaarde’s smog-sucking tower will clean the skies of China The Smog Free Project began in Rotterdam in 2013, when Roosegaarde and his team first constructed a prototype of the Smog Free Tower. After a successful pilot program there, the tower is kicking off a global tour, beginning with one of the most polluted countries on Earth. The 23-foot tower sucks up polluted air and filters out smog particles before releasing clean air back into the environment. While operating, the Smog Free Tower creates a small fresh air zone, allowing city dwellers to experience—perhaps for the first time—the difference between the urban air quality they live with daily and fresh, smog-free air. Although the Chinese government has been slow to respond to the growing air pollution problem in its urban centers, officials on deck for the Smog Free Project kickoff touted it as a step in the right direction. “This project is key in our agenda to promote clean air as a “green lifestyle” among Chinese citizens,” said Liu Guozheng, Secretary-General of The China Forum of Environmental Journalists. “Our goal is to guide the public to a healthier lifestyle, low carbon development and to raise awareness amongst the public and reduce smog.” + Studio Roosegaarde Images via Derrick Wang and Studio Roosegaarde

Comments Off on Artist makes Dust Jewelry out of soil from abandoned Icelandic farms

Icelandic artist Ágústa Sveinsdóttir reminds us all of the transience of nature by crafting jewelry out of a simple material: dust. Collected from the soil of deserted farms in the Icelandic countryside, with time the Dust jewelry withers away, revealing a manmade structure — a sort of skeleton within — giving the bearer a chance to savour every moment of its life span. Using a biodegradable adhesive, dust is transformed into a jewel coating. It is a celebration of the fragile beauty that time and use impart to materials. + Dust Jewelry The article above was submitted to us by an Inhabitat reader. Want to see your story on Inhabitat ? Send us a tip by following this link . Remember to follow our instructions carefully to boost your chances of being chosen for publishing!

Comments Off on This 55-foot-tall residential green wall will be the largest of its kind in New York

The 32,000-square-foot building will house seven residences with prices ranging from $5.75 million for a half-floor unit to full-floor apartments that start at $14.8 million. Each unit will have a flexible layout , with minimal interior walls. The residences were individually configured to be easily adapted to successive owners. Ando’s signature material palette- concrete , metal and glass will dominate the spaces, with the exterior green wall as the highlight of the exterior. Related: How The Clark Art Institute’s Renovation Saved a Whopping 1,000,000 Gallons of Water Upon completion, the wall will be 55 feet tall and 99 feet wide, and will be planted with a combination of vines , including English Ivy, Boston Ivy, Virginia Creepers, Jasmine Clematis and climbing Hydrangeas. This variety will allow the living structure to change appearance throughout the year and feature different textures and vibrant colors. + 152 Elizabeth Street + Tadao Ando + M. Paul Friedberg and Partners Images via Tadao Ando and 152 Elizabeth Street

Comments Off on Elle turns E-waste into unique and eye-catching jewelry

Each year, the world generates nearly 50 million tons of electronic waste and a large portion of these materials are considered garbage when in fact they are not. Nowadays, electronic devices are quickly discarded for a better, nicer, or newer ones, and not because their useful lives are over. This project transforms electronic waste into stunning, unique, and colorful handcrafted jewelry, while exemplifying an environmentally-aware fashion statement. Read the rest of Elle turns E-waste into unique and eye-catching jewelry